10 Stress Management Tips That Actually Work

Stress is a normal part of life and there’s no doubt that it can have positive effects — it can motivate you to work harder and push you to achieve your goals.

Trying to balance the demands of a job and family life with other activities and friends, plus being bombarded by news about global crises that seem so out of your control, can easily lead to stress overload. But when you feel stressed out, there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself cope.

Here are 10 ways to manage stress:

1. Take five minutes out of each day to do something that makes you happy.

2. Keep a journal and write down any thoughts or feelings you have during the day.

3. Spend 15 minutes each morning planning the tasks you need to do that day.

4. Get some sunlight. Missing out on sunlight not only increases your risk of vitamin D deficiency but it can also cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which results in depression-like symptoms during winter months. Getting outside for a brief period each day will help boost serotonin levels and improve your mood.

5. Make sure you have plenty of breaks throughout the day; don’t work continuously without stopping for lunch and other breaks.

6. Reward yourself for reaching targets you’ve set for yourself.

7. Avoid taking on too many jobs or roles at once; stick to doing two or three major projects at any one time.

8. Learn to say no if someone asks you to take on too much responsibility at one time.

9. Practice relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga or meditation. Stress is often caused by feeling overwhelmed, but learning how to relax will help you feel more in control.

10. Laughter really is the best medicine. Try watching a funny movie or doing something that makes you laugh out loud — even if it’s just reading comic strips or jokes online or going through old email messages with funny forwards from friends. Laughter relieves tension and lightens your mood.